 Joined: 15/11/2014(UTC) Posts: 136 Location: Freeport, New York
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Hello to Everybody
Please I need to know which is the best way to cut a C track.
Thank in advance, my best regards,
Carlos
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 Joined: 21/09/2012(UTC) Posts: 1,730 Location: Toronto
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Is it REALLY necessary to cut the track?
Can you not use small pieces? |
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Joined: 01/06/2016(UTC)
Posts: 2,465
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Originally Posted by: Carlos  Hello to Everybody
Please I need to know which is the best way to cut a C track.
Thank in advance, my best regards,
Carlos Why do want to cut them? I agree with baggio. For your support building a layout with c-tracks: I add the following PDF files. I hope these files makes your "cutting crew" needless.  
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 3 users liked this useful post by TEEWolf
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Joined: 21/09/2012(UTC) Posts: 1,730 Location: Toronto
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The two charts are a bit of a mouthful, however. What I do, is just lay down the track, have plenty of small pieces of different sizes handy and play around with the layout. Often enough by squeezing a bit, you get the tracks to join and stay joined.  If that does not work, I once went to Mike's who added up the distance I needed covered and after some adding and subtracting ( track no. 172 = 172 mm and track no. 188 = 188 mm) and doing the same with small pieces, Mike got the size I needed without cutting anything. Try it before you cut. |
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1 user liked this useful post by baggio
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 Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,875 Location: Hybrid Home
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I agree with my previous speakers. However, in case you insist: I used this saw to obtain a straight cut.  And I used K track connectors to fix the resulting mess.  |
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1 user liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
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Joined: 06/07/2012(UTC) Posts: 1,320
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Hello Carlos,
Here's a question I can answer with confidence!
The best way to cut C track is with a Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw.
But first be warned! This is a dangerous task and can cause bodily harm. Safety first! If you are not sure please be humble enough to know and not proceed.
Below is the procedure in which I had perfect results. Doing it any other way may result in broken C tracks or injury.
Always clamp the C track on it's base and cut through the tracks into the molded plastic base.
I sometimes had a piece of wood added to the top to help in securing the track if the piece to be cut was short.
The trick is to use a fine crosscut carbide blade. Go slow and gently when you cut the track.
It works like a charm!
Regards,
Michel
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1 user liked this useful post by michelvr
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Joined: 15/10/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,319 Location: Washington, Pacific Northwest
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To start, I've not had reason to cut c-track (yet).
Assuming you need to cut to shorten, the Märklin guidelines are to remove a segment from the middle, so the shorter piece still has the factory ends on it - so it takes 2 cuts to cut out the amount you need to remove.
Then you jumper the electrics below from one end to the other via the contacts below.
A good fine blade is the best to use.
Screwing down the track to a section of wood and then cutting through the track and plastic base and into the wood slightly is also a good idea, as the track should not move(much) during cutting.
I'd then glue the two ends together after temp fixing them (to ensure track alignment) and apply super glue to the plastic ends (assuming they are burr free and smooth) to fix the two sides. Verify transition is smooth. Then use an epoxy like JBWeld or Patex to permanently and strongly combine the two halves using the underside of the trackbed. |
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2 users liked this useful post by Minok
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 Joined: 18/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 221 Location: Brisbane,Australia
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I have had occasion to cut a. just the track and b. the entire piece of track. For the former I use the following setup with a thin cutting disc. I cut two pieces this way about 4 stud lengths from the end then join the tracks. This forms a short detector track with the marklin spade connectors available under the track for the contact wire.   This gives a nice fine cut which can be controlled so as not to cut the plastic bed.( the cut is just visible to the right of the shadow on the track). For the latter I have used a drop saw with a cutting disc but care must be taken not to overheat the plastic. I have also used a fine bladed hacksaw as shown. I found the track wrecked my balsa saw in short order. I usually screw the track down via the Marklin provided screw points. Once cut I fine tune the end with a facing sander.     I had to sort out this method to cut precise track ends on my transfer table project.  Thanks, Howard.
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8 users liked this useful post by ixldoc
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Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC) Posts: 3,997
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1 user liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
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Joined: 15/11/2014(UTC) Posts: 136 Location: Freeport, New York
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Originally Posted by: baggio Is it REALLY necessary to cut the track?
Can you not use small pieces? No because a track of exactly 2 inches Regards, Carlos
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Joined: 15/11/2014(UTC) Posts: 136 Location: Freeport, New York
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Originally Posted by: TEEWolf Originally Posted by: Carlos Hello to Everybody
Please I need to know which is the best way to cut a C track.
Thank in advance, my best regards,
Carlos Why do want to cut them? I agree with baggio. For your support building a layout with c-tracks: I add the following PDF files. I hope these files makes your "cutting crew" needless. The reason is a need to insert in a special place a track of exactly 2 inches Regards, Carlos
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Joined: 21/09/2012(UTC) Posts: 1,730 Location: Toronto
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Hi, Carlos:
Cut the tracks if you are so inclined, but you may want to try to substitute longer/shorter pieces along the layout if possible.
Perhaps you could put 24188 (188.3 mm) straight pieces in place of 24172 (171.7 mm) pieces or vice versa.
This way you may be able to use a short straight piece - 24064 (64.3 mm) for example.
Also sometimes, lifting the track and forcing it gently in will work as well if the overlap is very small.
I would try the above before cutting.
My usual 2 cents' worth.
Silvano |
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1 user liked this useful post by baggio
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Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC) Posts: 5,875 Location: Hybrid Home
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3 users liked this useful post by Alsterstreek
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